Old epilepsy myths persist

A new study suggests that many people still believe old myths about epilepsy, which could result in harm to a person having a seizure.

More than a third of people still believe that you should put something in the mouth of people having a seizure to stop them from swallowing their tongue, but this could be extremely dangerous because it can block airways.

The study, done at University College London, focused on four key myths surrounding seizures: the need to call an ambulance, the need to put something in the person’s mouth so they do not swallow their tongue, and the incidences of foaming at the mouth and violence in seizures.

The authors questioned 4,605 staff and students from the university on what happens when someone has an epileptic seizure, and how to react.

Lead author Sallie Baxendale said the results of the study were “extremely worrying”.

She said: “They [respondents]  think the person is going to swallow their tongue, but you can’t actually do that.

“People having a seizure can bite down very hard, so something in their mouth could damage their teeth and leave them with a huge dental bill. One problem is that seizures look extremely dramatic, but actually for most people it is something that happens occasionally and that they can recover from relatively quickly.

“The only thing to do is keep them safe and let the seizure run its course.”

The study also found that most people, nearly seven in 10, would call an ambulance for someone having an epileptic seizure, which is not necessary in most cases.

The survey findings were published in the journal Epilepsy and Behaviour.

For more information about epilepsy visit the irishhealth Epilepsy clinic at...

http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/epilepsy/index.html

[Posted: Wed 25/07/2007]